215 Freeway reopens after 6-day closure

February 24, 2009 12:00:00 AM PST

MURRIETA, Calif. --

A two-mile stretch of the 215 Freeway has reopened on Tuesday after being closed for six days due to a massive sinkhole.Northbound lanes of the freeway reopened at about 6:20 a.m. and southbound lanes were reopened Monday night.

A pipe had burst on February 18 below the freeway median near the 215-15 split in Murrieta.

The damaged pipe created a sinkhole 25 feet wide and 6 feet deep.

Crews had to dig a wide trench to get to the old water pipe that had corroded over the years and replace it.

The reopening was further delayed when it took more time for the new asphalt to harden.